Used car guide

2008 Citroen C8: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Citroen C8s, from 134 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 134 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

134MOT tests in 2025
38%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,900typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Citroen C8s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.3× usual
    Citroen C8
    23.9% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2008 Citroen C8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    50% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    47% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    42% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    39% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    25% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    22% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009111Brakes 50%
2007180Suspension 49%
2006113Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Citroen C8s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score